Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine
Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Prescription central nervous system stimulant (Schedule II controlled substance) containing mixed amphetamine salts (75% dextroamphetamine, 25% levoamphetamine), approved for ADHD and narcolepsy. One of the most prescribed stimulants for ADHD. Available in immediate-release and extended-release formulations. Carries significant abuse potential and cardiovascular risks. Dosage must be determined by your prescribing physician.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
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This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Prescription central nervous system stimulant (Schedule II controlled substance) containing mixed amphetamine salts (75% dextroamphetamine, 25% levoamphetamine), approved for ADHD and narcolepsy. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is 5–40 mg daily for IR in divided doses; 5–30 mg daily for XR (as prescribed by your physician), though a prescriber sets the actual dose. This profile indexes 11 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: improved attention and focus, reduced hyperactivity and impulsivity, enhanced executive function. 11 sources indexed (2002–2026), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Promotes the release of dopamine and norepinephrine from presynaptic nerve terminals by reversing the direction of monoamine transporters (DAT, NET). Also inhibits monoamine reuptake and inhibits monoamine oxidase activity. The combined effect substantially increases synaptic dopamine and norepinephrine concentrations in the prefrontal cortex and striatum.5
Dosing & protocol.
Can be taken with or without food. XR capsules may be opened and sprinkled on applesauce. Avoid acidic foods/beverages near dosing time as they may reduce absorption. Take in the morning.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Decreased appetite
- Insomnia
- Dry mouth
- Tachycardia and increased blood pressure
- Anxiety and nervousness
- Weight loss
- Headache
- Irritability
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
2- 1Efficacy of Adderall for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: a meta-analysisPMIDFaraone SV, Biederman J · Journal of attention disorders · 2002
Faraone SV, Biederman J. Efficacy of Adderall for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: a meta-analysis. Journal of attention disorders. 2002
- 2Comparative efficacy of Adderall and methylphenidate in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a meta-analysisPMIDFaraone SV, Biederman J, Roe C · Journal of clinical psychopharmacology · 2002
Faraone SV, Biederman J, Roe C. Comparative efficacy of Adderall and methylphenidate in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a meta-analysis. Journal of clinical psychopharmacology. 2002
Randomized controlled trials
4- 3Acute Cardiovascular Responses to Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine Salts (Adderall) in Adderall-Naïve Young Adults: A Randomized Clinical TrialPMIDSomers KR, Bock JM, Covassin N et al. · Mayo Clinic proceedings · 2026
Somers KR, Bock JM, Covassin N et al.. Acute Cardiovascular Responses to Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine Salts (Adderall) in Adderall-Naïve Young Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Mayo Clinic proceedings. 2026
- 4Expectancy for Adderall influences subjective mood and drug effects regardless of concurrent caffeine ingestion: A randomized controlled trialPMIDLooby A, Piccorelli AV, Zimmerman L et al. · Psychopharmacology · 2024
Looby A, Piccorelli AV, Zimmerman L et al.. Expectancy for Adderall influences subjective mood and drug effects regardless of concurrent caffeine ingestion: A randomized controlled trial. Psychopharmacology. 2024
- 5Extended-Release Mixed Amphetamine Salts for Comorbid Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Cannabis Use Disorder: A Pilot, Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled TrialPMIDLevin FR, Mariani JJ, Pavlicova M et al. · Journal of attention disorders · 2024
Levin FR, Mariani JJ, Pavlicova M et al.. Extended-Release Mixed Amphetamine Salts for Comorbid Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Cannabis Use Disorder: A Pilot, Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Journal of attention disorders. 2024
- 6Modafinil Versus Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine For Idiopathic Hypersomnia and Narcolepsy Type 2: A Randomized, Blinded, Non-inferiority TrialPMIDTrotti LM, Blake T, Hoque R et al. · CNS drugs · 2024
Trotti LM, Blake T, Hoque R et al.. Modafinil Versus Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine For Idiopathic Hypersomnia and Narcolepsy Type 2: A Randomized, Blinded, Non-inferiority Trial. CNS drugs. 2024
Reviews & position papers
1- 7Long-term outcomes of ADHD treatment in adults: pharmacological and non-pharmacological approachesSource linkedPMIDKooij JJS, Bijlenga D, Salerno L et al. · Eur Psychiatry · 2019
Reference material
4- 8MTA Cooperative Group. A 14-month randomized clinical trial of treatment strategies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (MTA). Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1999.Source linkedPMID
- 9Cortese S et al. Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Lancet Psychiatry. 2018.Source linkedPMID
- 10Chan M et al. Effect of amphetamines on blood pressure. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2025.Source linkedPMID
- 11Siefried KJ, Acheson LS, Lintzeris N et al.. Pharmacological Treatment of Methamphetamine/Amphetamine Dependence: A Systematic Review. CNS drugs. 2020Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine?
Prescription central nervous system stimulant (Schedule II controlled substance) containing mixed amphetamine salts (75% dextroamphetamine, 25% levoamphetamine), approved for ADHD and narcolepsy. One of the most prescribed stimulants for ADHD. Available in immediate-release and extended-release formulations. Carries significant abuse potential and cardiovascular risks. Dosage must be determined by your prescribing physician.
What is Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine include: Improved attention and focus; Reduced hyperactivity and impulsivity; Enhanced executive function; Extended-release option for all-day coverage; Improved academic and occupational performance. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.
What is a typical dose of Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine?
A typical adult dose of Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine is 5–40 mg daily for IR in divided doses; 5–30 mg daily for XR (as prescribed by your physician). The commonly recommended form is Immediate-release tablet or extended-release capsule. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine?
Reported side effects include decreased appetite, insomnia, dry mouth, tachycardia and increased blood pressure, anxiety and nervousness, weight loss. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine?
NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Amphetamine/Dextroamphetamine in NutriStack.
Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.